From The Vault: Beyonce – ‘Work It Out’

This week’s selection for From The Vault comes from Beyonce. ‘Work It Out’ served as the lead single from the ‘Austin Power in Goldmember’ film and was one of the singer’s first major attempts at solo success. However, despite the Tina Turner-inspired setup of the Mathew Rolsten-directed clip, and respectable promotion from her label, the song failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100.

By comparison, Beyonce’s bandmate Kelly Rowland’s duet with Nelly, ‘Dilemma’, was #1 on that tally for 10 weeks, initially climbing to the top spot without promotion and even before a music video has released.

Judging by the large disparity between the success of ‘Work It Out’ and ‘Dilemma’, it is quite puzzling that Beyonce’s label continued to focus on forging her solo career while almost ignoring Rowland altogether. In fact, it seems that Mathew Knowles ensured that his daughter’s first solo album, ‘Dangerously In Love’, was equipped with several of the industry’s then heavyweight producers whereas Rowland was given many of her leftovers.

Certainly this scenario provides ample evidence of the politics occurring behind the scenes at the Knowles camp. Indeed, why would they continue to emphasise only Beyonce’s endeavours but overlook Rowland who was, at that time, the more commercially viable act?

Imagine the kind of career that both artists would have had if given equal opportunities. Then again, they shoulda would coulda but didn’t. O well.

Do you really believe they Kelly could have been a the same level as Beyonce if they were given the same treatment?
Kelly seems to be getting that treatment now…and she still ain’t going nowhere…. not in the US at least

yeahh this song didn’t do so well but it was mainly promo for Goldmember, not her album… and “movie songs” don’t usually do that well on charts. uhmmmmm “Crazy in Love” anyone? from what i remember, that was a HUGE hit (and i’m pretty sure that song came out before “Work it Out”)… and like the first person said, Beyonce is Mathew’s daughter. why would he focus on Kelly’s career more than hers? now that Kelly has moved on to other management, there should be no excuse as to why she hasn’t had another hit record. and i love Kelly but i’m just sayin…. no need for the Beyonce shade.

I don’t agree about if they were given an equal amount of promo, good songs etc. Kelly would be at the same level as Beyonce or close. The proof is in the pudding and Kelly just cannot deliver. Yes Dilemma was a smash, but it was also because of the Sample..Nelly was HUGE back then and it was a summer-time song. Work It OUt was a soundtrack single (see: Mariah’s fav Glitter excuse: “It wasn’t even a real album”) so Beyonce gets a pass…Kelly’s was her FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE.

Plus Kelly fails at a live performance. The vocals are always thin, dry and lifeless and she never quite hits the note, she DOESN’T dance and theres no presence. Beyonce is a BEAST on stage, plus she can dance and gives life in videos.

Kelly just doesn’t have it. Never has. Never could. Never will. I do like Commander tho, but look how she dropped the ball on that. When Commander came out, everyone was hype. That fizzled so fast.

And correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Dilemma NELLY’s single with Kelly being the featured artist singing the hook and bridge. IF so that means the song was Marketed moreso under Nelly who was about the hottest rapper in 2001/2002…

It wasn’t like it was a solo track with just Kelly was the focus. Nelly was the focus. d

Trent STFU! They wasn’t even working on Kelly cd when Dilemma first came out, but since the song was a hit they rushed to get her a cd because of the success of the single! Stop trying to blame everyone else for Kelly not being as big as she could’ve been! People in the U.S. didn’t buy her album! It’s not Beyonce or Matthew’s fault!

At that time Matthew wanted Kelly to do alternative R&B so DC’s solo careers wouldn’t compete. In the Simply Deeps U.S. reviews, many complained about how it was going to be marketed because the cd was all over the place.

THE REAL REASON: It would have cost a LOT of money to promote Kelly Rowland as an R&B artist. She would have done successfuly, just like Ashanti (who lacked the voice and stage material) with strong r&b material. She could have had that with her debut, but it would have COST MONEY because r&b/hip-hop producers and promotion was very expensive back then.

Kelly and Michelle were thrown out to cheaper markets because the CASH RESERVE was for BEYONCE.

MUZIKFREAK! it did make Matthew’s team rush to release Kelly’s cd, but why do alternative r&B. Why couldn’t it have been a standard r&b cd like hits Separated and Delimma.

It’s because being an r&b artist then was super expensive, and that money was reserved for Beyonce. She got pushed back and not rushed. She wasn’t rushed with Bonnie & Clyde–a moderate hit. It was about setting up BEYONCE.

b*******…..kelly cant sing like beyonce….doesnt have the stage presence of beyonce….cant dance like beyonce ….cant write like beyonce…cant co produce like beyonce and just all out doesnt not have the beyonce genious.

Beyonce is the leading female artist of this generation with Mariah being the one of the last generation….Kelly Rowland isnt even top 50!!

Kelly rowland s fans (like I am) need to stop blaming Beyonce or Matthew for the lack of sucess.She did a lot of video:Stole,Nobody want …,Dilemma and all that prior beyonce ‘s album release

Again,Miss Kelly got a lot of videos:Daylight,Ghetto with Snoop,comeback,Work,Like this (with eve),…But she wasnt able to sell albums with all the videos matthew paid for her.In comparaison,Christina Milian sold more with her ‘So amazin’ album and only ‘Say I(as single & video) by the time.
Stop blamin beyoncé for her failure when beyonce give them (kelly and solange) a chance to shine during her Get me bodied performance at the BET Awards.

To quote Nicki:Is this the thanks that I get for puttin’ you b****** on?

ONE CHILD, Ashanti couldn’t do any of those things, and she was slaying Beyonce in the DIL era, and if wasn’t for the Murder Inc drama—Shanti would have been the “Rihanna” of r&b—not a singer nor dancer nor performer with hit songs.

FIRST OF ALL TRENT KELLY ROWLAND ALBUM CAME OUT WAY BEFORE BEYONCE’S DIL DID KELLY’S ALBUM WAS RELEASED IN OCT. 2002 BEYONCE WAS RELEASED IN JUNE 2003 SO HOW DID KELLY GET THE LEFT OVERS HER ALBUM WAS ALREADY DONE

You must be 10 years old. Jennifer Lopez was the hottest artist of her era merging movies, movies, media, dating big name rapper/celeb, and personal branding (fashion line, brading the a**) during her time.

The Dangerously In Love era took Jennifer Lopez’s career template. Even Beyonce’s styling was very similar to Jennifer Lopez…the record magazine covers, endorsement, co-release of movies with singles…that whole ERA came out the Jennifer Lopez play book. Do your research?

It’s funny, someone said Jennifer Lopez was copying Beyonce, and then I had to show them Puffy’s video with Jennifer Lopez serving the people.

@Blasian, Ashanti second cd sold more the first week, and her promotion died due to the Murder Inc scandal. Beyonce underperformed with the amount of promotion on her debut, but still has the “machine” running.

@Blasian Matthew Knowles wanted Kelly Rowland to do alternative r&b—like a black girl Lenny Kravitz. This was $$$ move because if Kelly was a full-time r&b artist, it would have been more expensive (producers)

@Blasian Kelly’s debut was rushed out due to Nelly’s single. Beyonce’s cd was pushed back 3 times.

Ashanti album C2 came out a weel later after Beyonce’s ablum, Beyonce keep coming with those hits and those AMAZING PERFORMANCE Crazy In Love,Baby Boy, Me,Myself and I & N Girl, DIL was never pushed back it was pushed up the album was going to come out in July but came out in June No ur facts dear

YEAH MAT WAS ON THE GRAMMY VOTING TIME RIGHT ALONG WITH THE REST 105 VOTERS LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I CAN’T AT RIHANNA’S PERFORMANCE LAST NIGHT SHE STILL SUCKS LIKE ALWAYS LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ashanti even jumped off her tour to promote 2nd cd because of the surprise of its sales. Because of the Murder Inc. situation, even Ashanti’s team thought her cd would fail sooner. Her promotion didn’t have legs to it like Beyonce’s promotion.

What Beyonce had over Ashanti & Jennifer Lopez, who were SUPER HOT a minute early was her voice?

DIL sold over 317,000 in the first week #1 album which I might add she became the First and only woman to have a single and album simultaneously topping the main charts in both the U.S. and the UK (2003).

oh please trent kelly flops has nothing to do with beyonce i am sorry but kelly don’t have the IT factor and the same pepole worked with beyonce on dil worked with kelly the same promo same everything its just that beyonce have extra something and she know what shes doing know how she want her music to sound unlike kelly she don’t know who she really is musicly i guess she finaly did now,kelly fans need to stop blaming beyonce/matthew/label its just kelly i mean look at her now she blowed her chance to be great and big and whos to blamed now beyonce right

That wasn’t no underperforming amount, for a new solo artist it could’ve worked 2 ways Beyonce made it big or a flop and well all know how that turned out, just Because she was in Destiny’s Child didn’t mean anything i.e Kelly & Michelle. Ashanti only sold 326,000 in first week with someone coming off an album that sold over 6 million copies and had all these hits she had more to live up to than Beyonce

I have to disagree, I don’t like Beyonce and I think kelly has a better voice overall then bee, and I want kelly to blow up here in america. But kelly first single was a huge hit, but it was a collob with nelly, much like bee crazy in love with Jay z.. work it out was asound track, the label new they had crazy in love. Plus vocaly live kelly kept being nervous not owning the live performances. you know. Bee is a better entertainer, the confidence sell her everytime. kelly was a late blommer. Not it’s fair game kelly is huge all over the world and I think if they can get right with promo kelly will take over america

@ONE CHILD, Ok imma need you to stop before this sentence starts: .doesnt have the stage presence of beyonce….cant dance like beyonce ….cant write like beyonce…cant co produce like beyonce and just all out doesnt not have the beyonce genious. & WRITE?! O_O *Hugest blank stare ever* Co-produced O_o, r u on meth? Anyway the point is Nelly & Kelly both we’re on the song & it went #1 & Beyonce completely flopped. That #1 hit goes under Nelly & Kelly’s name. Kelly should’ve got the V.I.P. treatment because of her laptop because of that. Instead they shaded her for Beyonce.

UMM J.LO HAS NEVERRRRRRRRRRRR AND WILL NEVERRRRRRR MAKE THE CULTURAL IMPACT BEY DID AND HAS!!!! WHEN U EVER SEE J.LO DANCING IN THE HOOD WITH GIRLS IN THE STREET, WHEN U SEE J.LO GOING TO A SICK HOSPITAL TO SING TO KIDS IN HER SPARE TIME? NEVER! COS J.LO IS A STUCK UP RUDE B**** AND U CAN SEE SHE IS NOT A NICE PERSON, WHEN J.LO’S PEERS EVER PRAISE HER #WAITSUNTILTHEENDOFTIME.

Beyonce Bottoms up verse
Yo, could I get that Hit?
Could I get that 80 milli?
Could I get that Oscar?
Could I get that Grammy?
Could I get that latina’s career under a rock back to the block block ?
Could I get that sasha ousthine your lame ass ass ass?
Jay, I was like “Yo Jay”
Do you think you could buy me a ring with ri-hanna money’?
Okay, lets get it now
I’m the queen,You love my ass and my lacefrong wig
I don’t say “Hi”, I say ” I am …a legend in a makin’ ”
in the making? My destiny since I was a child
Muhfuckin right yeah, since the girls time
If a b**** try me,I’ll release a random song during her album release
Or start a new era and her album will be pushed back,pushed back,pushed back
Then again pushed back

This particular post is sickening. You are what’s wrong with the world, always spreading discord amongst people. You guys knew what you were doing in creating this post and if your intent was to garner more pub for you site then I hope it backfires. This is not the first time in which you guys have blatantly posted material to try and start mess. There is enough crap going on in the world for you guys to be doing this to Beyonce, Rihanna, Trey, the Pope, dang whoever. We are all human, we all make mistakes, we all have flaws, and we all have feelings. Next time, take the high road and be a site that is constructive on criticism and not merely a site that seeks to start arguments. I hope you prove me wrong but from experience I know that won’t happen. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Beyonce said that her label heard DIL and they didn’t think she had one hit.

Last thing, someone said that Kelly was given alternative/pop…the genre that sells the most. In the 90’s, pop artist were outselling r&b artist by a long shot….so Kelly didn’t get tossed under bus with that one.

And now, away from matty, she is doing pop/dance….sooooooooo……..

I love Kells, but Beyonce has a better voice. NO ONE can f*ck with Bee when it comes to live performances….Im sorry.

Its pathetic to see that people still blame beyonce for kelly’s “success” since dil debuted in 2003 hasn’t beyonce proved over and over again that she can hold her own? I don’t see mathew holding her hand on stage when she out performs (not just kelly who?) But every girl out there right now.

@trent
I for one like kelly but ur pathetic attempts of trying to make beyonce look bad just make some of us realize it was a good call for daddy to put his daughter first.
he believed in his daughters talent and its paying off and going to continue doing so

CIL, the first single wasn’t even promoted that much. beyonce did a couple of shows to promote it but it wasn’t all out. When Crazy in love went #1 that is when they start promoting the hell out of DIL.

@Dave

Not so much now, but Beyonce co produced and co write most of the songs from DC and DIL. Many producers have complimented her for having a good ear. Prince even said he was surprised that she knew about egyptian scales and what not.

Trent, you hit the nail on the head with this post. Work It Out was not only the lead single for Austin Powers, it was the first single for Beyonce’s debut album. That is something people forget about. It was supposed to be Michelle, Beyonce, then Kelly releasing their albums in that order. Since Work It Out flopped and Kelly duet with Nelly was so successful, Kelly’s album was rushed to give Beyonce more time to revamp her debut album.

There’s a reason why Rihanna is successful and not Teairra Marie, her label saw an international market—and much of her promotion followed the “Beyonce playbook.”

Teairra was placed in a box, just like Kelly.

I DON’T THINK TRENT BLAMED BEYONCE AT ALL FOR KELLY’S CAREER. He blamed the politics, and Columbia’s effort to put more push behind Beyonce over everyone. Kelly and Beyonce were Columbia artists, and Michelle was with Music World.

Columbia chose not to spend R&B money on Kelly, and looped her around—while putting a full on commitment to Beyonce. MATTHEW IS THE BLAME FOR THAT STUPID “ALTERNATIVE R&B” move.

For Simply Deep to be a rushed effort that didn’t have a targeted audience, it still sold Gold, because people wanted to see her succeed and were expecting a cd full of “Delimma” songs.

If Columbia /Matt wanted to push an r&b audience pop, they could have modeled “Stole” as another “Waterfalls” and linked Kelly with a “anti-teen violence” campaign. It’s not hard to do, even rushed. BUT, IT WOULD HAVE COST MONEY—-and that went to someone else.

Please stop the madness bey’s albums didn’t purchase themselves! Why do people say Matthew bought her Grammys like she isn’t worthy of one stop trying to discredit her in order to make Kelly look like a charity case because Kelly is still making more money than most of yall could imagine

You people on this site are so dumb SMDH! With Kelly having a HUGE single with Nelly that’s more of a reason to put an album out you ever heard of the saying “HIT THE IRON WHILE IT’S HOT” So Mathew Knowles made a GREAT choice to drop Kelly’s Album to ride of the Success of ‘Dilemma’ any smart Manger or Record label would do that samething with a NEW solo Act . Dilemma was also Kelly’s first single and even after the success of Dilemma on October 28, 2002 Simply Deep was released and still came in at #12 on Billboard 200 album Chart. Kelly had a huge single and then she followed up with “STOLE” an Pop/Rock record which no one was feeling at that time in 2002 where RB& HIP HOP was the IT sound

Kelly Worked with Rich Harrison before Beyonce did “Can’t Nobody” guess what ANOTHER flop. Beyonce came out a killed it like her reocrd label said she didn’t have one hit off her album, coming off from a HUGE Pop album like Survivor but they was wrong she had 5.

You really got some Nerve Calling somebody a Flop when u stan for CIARA of all people. When was the last time she was on top again……? Oh Ok

And i think they pushed Kelly’s album out because dilemma was successful, I don’t feel like it had anything to do with Beyonce. And i’m a fan of both ladies. And i hate when people put them against each other. Its not Beyonce’s fault that she sells albums. When people look at a t.v. performance, or hear a song. They are the ones that say oh i like this, and they are the ones that will go out and buy the C.D. so instead of complaining about how much promo she got at that time and how much promo she got here. If kelly didnt like it she would of left then when all that happened. Kelly got a solo grammy before Beyonce and had a number 1 single before her and she performed on the grammy’s with Nelly she had promo at that time. Its her fans fault for not going out and buying her cd’s (I have all of her albums). I guess when theres no one to blame……. BLAME BEYONCE!!!!!

Yeah since the Book came out in 2002 as well EVERYTHING that each of them said they wanted to do as far the solo sound they did it Kelly Wanted The Pop Rock sound, Beyonce R&B Soul sound and Michelle Gospel

Trent yo ass is on some real ole bull S*!%! Get over it B is that ish and Kelendria aint, it is what it is. End of story! Gosh I know you like being an asshole because it gets even more hits on this site, but enough is enough. Sam you have a great blog site if not one of the best, but this off and on hatin on Beyonce and Rihanna is bogus. I always boycott your site because of this, and then come back in time to see if its changed but its always the same…. I’ll be back to tomorrow to see if there’s any new Beyonce news. You lucky you got one of the best music blogs on the internet…

Beyonce is by far the most talented woman(artist ) to sufrace this decade. She will go down in history as a legend! Period! Kelly Rowland is talented, but she’s lacking in so many areas as an artist. Her success wasn’t due to her own impact in the beginning. She was a house hold name because of Bey being the front woman in DC. She had a huge hit with Delimma because Nelly was the top rapper that year. Her parts could have been done by Amerie and that song would have seen the same success. Everyone keeps mentioning that Matthew wanted Kelly to do alternative music instead of R&B and it’s funny that she’s not doing that genre now. Whose twisting her arm this time – she’s not under Matthew’s management now! Kelly is all over the place with her image, music and stage presence! Kelly has been given multiple chances to produce hits. At the BET awards Beyonce performed first and let Kelly follow behind her as the grand finale when she was promoting “Like This”. Kelly looked stunning (and I rooted for her that night), but she dropped the ball. The energy that night collapsed when she took center stage. That right there was very telling, because their performances by comparison provided a clear indication of how these 2 women were in different leagues. You can’t make an singer a “superstar”. They have to possess a certain star quality all of their own! Kelly’s a singer, but she’ll never be a star.

Stans of Beyonce we understand Beyonce can sing circles around kellz but u have to admit that Columbia and Mathew had Beyonce with the biggest budget, ghost writers,creative team,marketing, endorsements etc..they didn’t want Kelly to blow up b4. Bey so they put alternative s*** in her head to make her think it was hot,it was hot for avril not Kelly…remind u Kelly stated in multiple interviews that she wasn’t as secure and demanding as she is today. .so she’s has some blame too . …my question how are u gonna have a hot rnb single but go rock? Matthew ? His plan was to distract the urban and pop audiences from Kelly so that Bey could Garner the attention first that’s why the public became uninterested with what Kelly had to offer as a solo artist. When Ms Kelly dropped….. because Bey went back to the drawing board on DIL they knew what the public wanted from the flop of Kelly’s Simply deep …if Rihanna can go head to head with Bey so can Kelly. ….point blank Matthew and Columbia sabotaged that from even happening…its a cold industry and world

Kelly Will tell you herself that’s the sound she wanted to go for not only that was her look in Destiny’s Child around the Suvivor Era The Pop Rock Chick
, Not only that She reached out to Brandy and her Husband to write a song fro her. After the Success with Nelly her album still flopped so don’t give me that BULL s***!

FOR REAL FOR THE SONG WOULD’VE BEEN BIG IF KELLY WASN’T ON IT,
THIS WAS WHEN NELLY WAS HOT NOT KELLY

Kelly woked with the People Beyonce did , It’s Kelly FAULT she didn’t take control over her Career she didn’t find a GREAT A&R person you can’t blame Matthew K he works for Kelly she doesn’t work for him

Your the Delusional one. Kelly Can’t Blame Nobody but herself for her FALIED career. And she’s still failing and she’s not under Mat no more. Beyonce took control over her Career at a Young age, it’s Kelly ‘s Fault she didn’t do the same

In 2002, Knowles had already recorded numerous songs for Dangerously in Love. Her management scheduled the album for an October 2002 release, however it was postponed several times to capitalize on the success of American rapper Nelly’s single “Dilemma”, which features Destiny’s Child group mate Kelly Rowland.These delays allowed Knowles to go back to the studio and record more songs.

Why is everyone blaming Beyoncé? If you fall down the stairs don’t blame B! Beyoncé is the bigger star, because she was the front woman of DC. Enough said. Her daddy managed the whole group, so of course Beyoncé was the leader of the 3. Plus B has the it-factor, the looks & especially a great voice. Kelly has always been #2. So why should she be more successfull now, when she was behind Beyoncé back in the day?

Why in the Hell Would Mat and Columbia Records put out DIL with WROK It Out to where you have Kelly Rowland with this HUGE why not put her album out First ? Anyone with a BRAIN can SEE that’s a VERY VERY VERY SMART move

um beyonce has nothing to do with Kelly being a flop…truth be told Kelly doesn’t have that it factor, like someone said dilemma would have been a hit with or w/o ms.Rowland, anyway studio Rihanna shits on evey b**** out there, yes I said studio, I’ll have to agree that some of rihannas performances live just don’t cut it, that’s why I think there’s something crazy going on in the industry how can Rihanna have such a magical voice ona recorded track but pretty much suck live, there is a performance of Russian roulette that she did a pretty good live, but there was also a performance of firebomb that made me cringe, anyway she still my fave cuz she can do it all, pop,rb,hip hop, ballad, pop rock,..Rihanna Is president and britney is vp, ironically 2 tone deaf chicks have the best music. lol

There’s a difference between being promoted and targeted the right way. Ashanti was reigning queen before the Murder Inc slump and she doesn’t have half of the talent Kelly has—with the exception of songwriting.

Beyonce took control of her career at an early age and she has even cited that things got heated between her Mathew over the decision making process.

She wasn’t sitting back waiting for her father to make moves. She had already had her map plan. Kelly should’ve did the same thing.

Kelly is under new management and she is being promoted well. But she just doesn’t have umph that Beyonce has.

And Kelly does not sing better than Beyonce. She has the potential if only she would work on her pitch and staying on key and also her breath control(although they do sound similar I think Kelly’s voice has a tad bit more depth) . Kelly has even admitted that Beyonce had to play vocal coach to Kelly sometimes to teach her how to hit certain notes.

Just face it Beyonce could take 10 year break, pop out 3 of Jayz big lipped rhino nosed babys and Kelly would still be struggling. Not even Tyrone would be able to help her career. And that is a fact.

I’m sorry but Kelly fans need to stop blaming everyone for her failure and start going out to buy the damn music. I bet the same people who sit here complain about Kelly not getting the success she deserves never went out and even bought one copy of the album or a single. These same people probably pirated her albums.

Kelly was just as driven as Beyonce. The difference is that Kelly wanted to do things the right way while Beyonce was more willing to sell herself out and let her daddy pimp her out to the industry hence her “becoming” Sasha in the Crazy In Love vid…read up on it, its all true!

And Ashanti had hit r&b songs and a hell of a promotion budget. She also had a singles war with Tweet who was Missy’s artist.

Ashanti was not a strong singer, dancer, performer, but has hit songwriting skills and a hell of a budget. KELLY IS AND WAS A STRONGER ARTIST THAN HER without promotion, poor marketing choice, and not a follow-through of r&b target singles after Dilemma.

BEE STANS = REPUBLICANS in their level of delusion and creating an argument that wasn’t there.

@BLAISAN: I would not waste my time arguing. We know Beyonce is where she is today because she is a hell of a performer. People seem to forget that the managers work for the artist and not the other way around. If Kelly felt like she was not getting the promotion that she deserved she should have left. People need to start holding Kelly accountable, and stop blaming Beyonce and Matthew. Nothing against Kelly, but her performances leaves alot to be desire. She has a good tone in the studio, but live she always seems to be out of tune and out of breathe.

Also, everyone knows that “work it out” was for The Austin Powers movie, and was not an official single, but people would believe what they will to make themselves feel better, so just let them. At the end of the day Beyonce still making the most powerful list, and still on top in the music scene, and she’s been out 12/13 years.

Ashanti had hit after hit FIRST with Always on time with Ja Rule no one knew who Ashanti was. So Kelly had an Upper Hand on her. Plus Ashanti came out around the Summertime People were in Love with her before Kelly’s album was released

From mid-spring 2002 to mid-summer of 2002, Ashanti was the Princess of Hip-Hop/Soul. This poses 2 questions:
1. How old is just too damn old to be the “Princess” of something?
2. How did she get that title?
The answer is complicated and a bit sad.
The year was 2002.
Aaliyah had died, Left Eye had died, Mary was happy, Whitney was a spokesperson for D.A.R.E.. All of Destiny’s Child had gone solo, the Fat Boys had broken up, and there was nothing left to believe in. We were sad, confused, our spirits were broken, and we took Ashanti because she had just enough of a look, just enough of a voice, the songs were good and, honestly, we didn’t think we could do any better.
She sold over 3 million albums and was the first female artist in history to have 3 songs in the Top 10 of the Hot 100. She won a Grammy, several other awards, and most importantly they let her perform on the main stage of the VMAs, not in a parking lot [shade].
Life was good for Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, but then tragedy struck.

BEYONCE WENT SOLO…

And from than on it was over for Ashanti…

Ashanti stans fought and lost a bitter battle with Beyonce stans. To pass time most Ashanti stans have become either Ciara stans, Kelly Rowland stans, or are pretending to stan for Beyonce.
Although most of her stan army have officially disbanded, they still have hope that one day every relevant artist will die, kill somebody, or get hooked on crack, and it will be 2002 all over again.

Ashanti had her hood looks, Kelly Rowland well..look at her, by it factor, I meant she doesn’t have the look, let’s face it Rihanna and beyonce are beautiful! Ciara and Ashanti are s*** to, if Kelly was walkin down the street, I woudlnt look twice. u either need a powerful voice, looks, or some dance moves to make it big. Sadly all Kelly can ever say is,”I used to be in destinys child, and I was in that song with nelly called dilemma!”

Lord Have Mercy, I forgot how great this video was, ‘Work It Out’ was the Video that Killed LAUREN HILL’s Career!! As soon at she saw it she went right back on drugs, & she never been the same since… The Queen also gave Tina Turner a run for her Money in 2002.﻿ Bey can do Tina but Tina could NEVER do the Queen.

From mid-spring 2002 to mid-summer of 2002, Ashanti was the Princess of Hip-Hop/Soul. This poses 2 questions:
1. How old is just too damn old to be the “Princess” of something?
2. How did she get that title?
The answer is complicated and a bit sad.
The year was 2002.
Aaliyah had died, Left Eye had died, Mary was happy, Whitney was a spokesperson for D.A.R.E.. All of Destiny’s Child had gone solo, the Fat Boys had broken up, and there was nothing left to believe in. We were sad, confused, our spirits were broken, and we took Ashanti because she had just enough of a look, just enough of a voice, the songs were good and, honestly, we didn’t think we could do any better.
She sold over 3 million albums and was the first female artist in history to have 3 songs in the Top 10 of the Hot 100. She won a Grammy, several other awards, and most importantly they let her perform on the main stage of the VMAs, not in a parking lot [shade].
Life was good for Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, but then tragedy struck.

BEYONCE WENT SOLO…

And from than on it was over for Ashanti…

Ashanti stans fought and lost a bitter battle with Beyonce stans. To pass time most Ashanti stans have become either Ciara stans, Kelly Rowland stans, or are pretending to stan for Beyonce.
Although most of her stan army have officially disbanded, they still have hope that one day every relevant artist will die, kill somebody, or get hooked on crack, and it will be 2002 all over again.
___________________________________________________________
LMFAO

REMEMBER BEYONCE STEALS PEOPLE’S SONG REMEMBER IF I WERE A BOY SHE SAID SHE WROTE IT HERSELF BECAUSE IT DESCRIBE “HOW SHE WAS FEELING” THEN THE REAL SONGWRITER CAME OUT SHE DIDN’T HER SONG WAS STOLED UNTIL SHE HEARD IT ON THE RADIO. GOOD ON THAT GIRL SHE SUED BEYAWNCE.

BEYAWNCE IS A FRAUD. BEYAWNCE STANS GO TO SLEEP AND NEVER WAKE UP U GUYS ARE BORING.

She talked about how Toby Gad(who co-wrote the song with BC jean) introduced the song to her and played it for her. He didn’t think she would like it and was hesitant to play it for her. But she did indeed like it and decided to record it. Her name isn’t on the writing credits either.#FAIL

Haters are always somewhere looking for EXCUSES, Oh she Jacked this & Stole That. Its only because they’re PRESSED. The truth is, Mathew is just ONE(1) N**** & he dont run no Show!!, PPL give him way too much POWER. Beyonce has MORE Power than he does. & Bey’s NOT THE ONLY ONE with PPL on the Grammy Board!! COUNTLESS others, Almost EVERY highly nominated artist has someone on the Grammy Board that they are familiar with, Hello these PPL are all Record Execs & are apart of the Biz. Again, Mathew is just ONE(1) N**** & he doesnt run anything. Bey lead DC for the same reason she Leads the Grammys, because shes THE BEST…

A hater is like a stan, but a hater is overly devoted to being negative or trying to degrade or discredit a certain celebrity.
Stans will spend all day looking for news and videos because they want to know everything about their favorite as it happens.
Haters will spend all day looking for news and videos to leave negative comments because the whole world needs to know just how much they hate somebody. Haters will bring up the object of their disdain in topics and situations that usually have nothing to do with them

When a B**** Flops…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** Fails…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** Gets Hooked on Crack…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** dies…Blame Beyonce
When A B**** can’t pay there mortgage…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** is starving…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** is in the unemployment line…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** can’t pay her water bill…Blame Beyonce
When a B**** has to f*** for tracks…Blame Beyonce
WHEN A B**** WILL NEVER BE SUCCESSFUL…BLAME MOTHERFUCKING BEYONCE FOR EVERYTHING SHE IS THE PROBLEM.

How in the Hell were Kelly & Beyonce supposed to have EQUAL Careers when THEY ARE NOT EQUAL???? LMAO

So do you think Kelly with her HESITANT ass Voice should have song LEAD too??

It was Beyonce that would HOLD BACK on Melodies JUST to give Kelly Shine, Hell I recall Bey PROMOTING Kelly’s Album!!!!!!!!!

Kelly better THANK BEYONCE for even GIVING her a career to begin with!!

& Work it Out >>> Kelly’s WHOLE Discography. Death at comparing a Old School Disco tune to a catchy R&B Callabo with NELLY who was hot as hell in 2002 along with Ashanti, Look how that turned out, Kelly just got LUCKY if anything SAM… *KANYE SHRUGS*

**Death at comparing a Old School Disco tune to a catchy R&B Callabo with NELLY who was hot as hell in 2002 along with Ashanti, Look how that turned out, Kelly just got LUCKY if anything SAM… *KANYE SHRUGS***

Listen up. Kelly was featured. Beyonces track was for a soundtrack.
How well did Kelly do as a lead artist in America!?
Exactly. And don’t come with the ‘she had Beyonce’s leftovers’ because I’m sure as hell when Simply S*** dropped you thought the songs where hot as hell.

@ Rated X I didn’t call you a hater my argument is if matthew/beyonce/jay-z/tina/juelz or whoever are buying grammys why aren’t they buying album of the year or record of the year grammys i mean why settle for less but i rest my case

TBH KELLY STANS HARDER FOR BEY THAN BEY DOES HERSELF! EVERY INTERVIEW, EVERY TIME U SEE HER SHE IS THROWING PRAISE TO BEY. SOMETIMES WELL NOT SOMETIMES IN THIS BUISNESS THERE IS NO TIME FOR LETTING PEOPLE ‘HAVE A TURN’ YES THEY ARE FRIENDS BUT U HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO SEPERATE FRIENDS FROM BUISNESS ASSOCIATES.

EXACTLY, Kelly hasnt even SEPARATED Herself from DC yet (as Bey had already done many YEARS ago in her debut) & Its been YEARS. Kelly gives you no reason whatsoever to buy her album unless you were a DC Fan, (or Sam) Beyonce on the other hand never truly needed DC to be truly successful…

In reality Bey’s Sister Solange is better than Kelly in a lot of ways.

Remember those b****** I killed
Well,Their careers are really down
And they didnt even put up a fight
Who could when sasha is around?

I let them the time to have a hit
But I never really had a doubt
Whoever stand against me become a zero
you are all flop b****** now

numbers one dont even count
Grammy record I had it broken’
It’s the risk that you’ve taken
You can beg for mercy or you can shout out

Everywhere I am lookin now
I am surrouded by dead bodies
I told you, you were a zero
You knew you cant stand beside me
Ask Ashanti and many more
It’s written all over her grave
BeyBey killed another zero
Pray you wont be murdered

You are zero zero zero
You are zero zero zero
You are zero sero zero ouh ouh

If someone CAN pretend to deserve the same level of success as the Queen Bey, it’s Kelly Rowland. They grew up together, they started out together, they found success and they went through a lot of issues together !!!

I remember how a lot of people hated Beyoncé circa 2002/2003 because of what happened with the other girls and because of her obvious supremacy over Kelly and Michelle.

But Beyoncé became the icon she is today because she never took her fame for granted and kept on challenging herself. I never saw her giving a “cheap” performance no matter if it was on MTV, BET, AMA, FASHION ROCKS, she takes her job 100% seriously. Btw, all the famous artists who worked with her agree on the fact she’s a humble person and a workaholic.

No matter how Matthew Knowles has been involved in their careers, Kelly is old and famous enough today to succeed on her own. Yet she’s struggling, to say the less.

Sam & Trent, I hate when you try to stir up the hate in your posts whether it’s Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ciara or Beyoncé. You know you’re wrong on this one. BEY IS THE QUEEN.

gotta love @kat delunas songs…funny I’ll give u credit. but rihannas music is better than beyonces. firebomb >>>beyonces discography don’t stop the music >>>beyonces discography disturbia >beyonces discography only girl> beys discography . What we have here is a repeat of the late 90’s battle between Britney and Christina . Where one girl clearly has the voice and the other one has the hits. Rihanna and britney have the hits but beyonce and Cristina have the voices. Rihanna has 2 classic albums under her belt gggb and rated r. Beyonce had almost had an epic cd with I am Sasha, but the slow side killed it, and not In a good way…but beyonce got some good songs. I love sweet dreams and radio/telephone/videophone and I know most of the dance to single ladies and the dance at the end of baby boy. Actually baby boy and naughty girl are my s*** to, but it’s something about Rihanna that I loveee. she’s beautiful, a trend setter and she cranks out the number ones with relative ease.

idgaf about talent, mariah and whitney have talent but why stan for them when they dont make any songs i like, why would i even pretend to care, oh becase they have talent or can play an instrument or can write their own music, i jus dgaf, just give me the hits!!

You shudda left/ Sudda left…(2x) Hmmm
You shudda left/ sudda left… Everybody’s gettn owned /and I got them doing meth
In the closet/ grammies gettin stuffed/ and you can’t get one/ so don’t touch
Keep playing naive – that’s fine/ Single ladies have sold millions 4 times …/ and
It’s so lame/ how your so wack/ Flop faces gettn cracked/ and going back to the lab
standing on the sidelines/ asking me , what now should you do
Talking ’bout/ my plan B was going back to school / … ‘cuz your too gifted!

You just don’t know ’bout me(2x)/ I can end another you in a minute
Matter fact/ I know your stans will resent it/ baby…
You must not know “bout me(2x)/ I can end another you by 2moro
So don’t you ever for a secound get to thinking/ your Irreplaceable

Beyonce is just as much of a Hits Queen as Rihanna (believe it or not) only Bey excells at other things & Beyonxce’s music is just as good if not BETTER than Rihannas. Fire Bomb, Rude Boy & Disturbia are her best songs but Only Girl doesnt even s*** on VIDEO PHONE!!

Death at these comments. I taught I go hard but damn the bey army slayed and dragged every hater on this post. I can’t. I am dying at you flop….. Blame beyonce.
You sound like a goat on a farm, blame beyonce. Hilarious. Good one team bey.
Shout out to blasian, royalkev, you flop, blame beyonce, kat deluna Stan, S*** and so on. You guys slayed my life.

Eh, who was talking about Ashanti? Ashanti had no competition & she was hot when she came out, but after her debut, she fell off. Where is she now? Btw I was talking about Kelly compared to Beyoncé. If you mention DC, what will be the first name in people’s mind? Right honey, Beyoncé! #NotHatinJustSayin

Po Kellz. Her vocal delivery is GREAT and her talent is very-much-there! Her voice is a lot more in-depth as one stated above. She can do it; I.E.:She’s gotta get her live performances 2ghther. (Which might contribute to some of her success.) ! do believe her first project was handled incorrectly in comparison to Beynonsense’s unfortunately. Also, her debut was more in-tune with who she is an artist, that was the sound that fit her the most. If her label promoted her correctly she would’ve had more success w/ it. Matt wasn’t taking full-force with her album! She has remained real, unfortunately labels still haven’t figured out how to handle her as far as her “marketing and a&r”. She did have some hott songs but were very much-so overlooked to an extreme. Especially, because of her counterpart. Beynonsense do be buyin her Grammy’s too lmao. Kellz definately gott THE_VOICE;I.E. Her song “Love Again”, just not the “label” backing her like the latter. There is STILL hope for KELLZ!!!

It’ SO easy to conjure up some conspiracy theory as to why Kelly isn’t (and never will be) on the same level as Beyonce, but the sad truth is she just DOES NOT have it!

I’ve been there, I was rooting for her as the under dog in the past, but even now her material isn’t even in the same ballpark as Beyonce’s first album. No one is denying she has an amazing voice, but some singers are meant to stay in the background.

As for the mediocre to awful singers like Ashanti (NEVER could sing or entertain), Jennifer Lopez (great entertainer, but only really sang on her first album and that was probably studio enhanced), and even now Ciara, it is pretty much common knowledge that Beyonce stalled or completely destroyed their career in Ashanti’s case. If she was so hot why didn’t she get back on top when she left the Inc?

I pity the females who have to compete with Beyonce. They will always be compared with her and come up short. Rihanna’s next, its only a matter of time!

For the record “Crazy in Love” alone tops Ashanti’s whole second album. Just listen to the beginning! The base and the horns set it so far apart from anything on the radio at the time, you had to take notice!

don’t pretend to know what went on behind the scenes or why and have no desire to play the ‘what if’ or coulda, woulda, shoulda game. All I know is I have not seen any contemporary female that deserves to be in Beyonce’s position more than Beyonce does. Beyonce just has a stronger overall package than her competitors, bottom line. I know some people like to cheer for the underdog but I prefer to give credit where it is due and Beyonce has earned and deserves all of the credit she gets. Instead of supporting one of our artists one she gets really big and is competing against major female artists of other genres and race, all we want to do is put her down because we wish someone else was in her shoes. Well I think she represents Contemporary R&B/Pop in a strong light by outperforming the other female Pop & Country Divas, competing for awards and album sales and more than holding her own. I think we should be proud and support her.

As for a more direct response, this is one of my favorite Beyonce songs and videos and I think it was slept on big time. But as others said this is just a soundtrack song and Dilemma is really a Nelly song feat. Kelly; but then Trent knows all that, he’s just pulling for straws to fabricate this topic and garner a lot of posts. Kelly was allowed to release her solo album first, before Beyonce. Also Kelly had the Hip/Hop/R&B hit with Nelly to set up her album (and Dilemma was also included on her album which was quickly released on the heels of the success of Dilemma) plus she was allowed to record alternative crossover music (everyone wants to crossover). All this and some people still want to argue that she was mistreated. What is meant to be is meant to be and what is not meant to be just isn’t going to happen. Kelly has had so many opportunities that many other artists have not had.

I’m not denying that certain strings were pulled for Bey in order to take off so successfully, but if she didn’t have any real talent to make her worthy of such success, do you honestly think she would have lasted this long? Do you think that she would have gotten BIGGER with time instead of slowly fading into obscurity? You can buy success, but you can’t stretch it into an iconic career if you’re not destined for one, no matter how hard you try.

@ Rated X:

I don’t think Grammys can be “bought”, they usually just give the award to the most popular artist of that year. Whether that artist is deserving or not is another story, it’s very rare that the best-selling artist is also the most deserving in terms of artistic ability.

Please Mariah is just in a different league, Tommy did’nt do as much as Mathew, when an artist is incredible, fresh and new you do what u gotta do to mek that star shine. I’m not saying he did’nt have his little tactis involved, however Mathew is just disgusitng with it. On another note Kelly had to be hungry, at that time i don’t think she was quite ready. Beyonce’ came out swinging even tho she claims that she is shy. Mathew of course had his daughters best interest at heart. Besides, Kellys first album Mathew has dropped the ball on just about all of his artists albums. He knows that Beyonce is his bread and butter. Kelly will be successful this time, everything is gearing up quite good.

Beyonce’ might be the most hyped for now outside of Gaga, but Alicia is by far to me the best if not one of the best artist of this generation. For the most part albums sale better than Beyonce’s, even with Beyonce being some what more contemporary.

Anyway this is not a bash Beyonce’ thread. So to all of her stans stop making it one.

Mariah and Whitney’s catalogue blows Beyonce out the box literally. Mariah is a composer/songwriter/Vocalist/Artist. What are u talking about to the person that said they have talent but what else. You must be crazy. Then i guess Beyonce is just a performer/entertainer, because certainly she has lied alot about writing many of her songs. She has been called out for that many many times as well. Beyonce has a machine behind her. She really does’nt get her hands dirty but likes to steamroll all of the credits, that others have slaved over lol. Some talent that is.

I LOVE Work It Out, Bey KILLED!
and this sounds like a biased, un-researched post.
Why compare Kelly’s duet with Nelly from both albums which dropped in 2002
to Beyonce’s lil soundtrack song? Her album didn’t come until the summer of the next year
Kelly had ample time & promo to become big. She won & performed at the Grammys
She starred in Freddy vs Jason, she had a lot of oveseas promo, a few videos
all BEFORE Beyonce’s solo music career started
sound like someone is bitter that Beyonce is more successfull than Kelly

First of all, all of you needed to take it down a notch. I am a HUGE DC3 Fan so I love the both of them(Kelly and Bey). The real reason why they went ALL went solo is that when the group went back together, the GROUP would be bigger than they were during the Survivor Era. That’s one of the reason why Bey’s album was pushed back. Not because it wasn’t going to be successful but because they wanted to Maximize Kelly’s shine. Simply Deep wouldn’t have sold as it did without the Nelly Song. Michelle doing Gospel wouldn’t have the same kind of shine as both Bey and Kelly because secular is more popular as genre than Gospel, even contemporary Gospel. It’s just want it is. Remember, they didn’t break up until AFTER Destiny Fulfilled.

It’s true that Kelly WANTED to do R&B/Alternative, Michelle would do Gospel and Bey would do Commerically Urban Music that had a big sound bringing the funk(BTW, the group was built around Bey and her vocal arrangements and sound). Crazy in Love, coming off what she did with Work It Out(Another funk inspired sound song), was so big that even though Bey did just over 300 K the first week, she had so many great singles that people were buying the album in masses. No one thought that Bey would do what she did.

It’s kind of like TLC. Even the most popular of TLC(Left Eye) didn’t do anywhere close to big #s with her album. Just because you’re the most popular or the lead singer don’t guarantee solo stardom. In fact, sometimes the expectations can be too much especially with a big pop group as DC was. But DIL rose up to the challenge and we see the career that she has.

And to show that Bey was going to continue on to the sound that she introduce with Work It Out, she then released B’Day, which is even more of a big sounding, heavy instrumentation, funky, pre-dominately uptempo album, whether it sold heavy or not. Because that’s her sound and then she expanded on that with IASF. People just need to deal with it. Bey’s image and marketing helped but at the end of the day, it’s her sound and the execution of it is why she has fans. Plus, when she wants to do something, she does it, whether her label like it or not and again, this is why she has the amount that she does.

@THEMAN are you on dope or dog food. A. Keys is old news…….If I’m not correct, if it wasn’t for Jay’s song New York, she wouldn’t have seen top ten 10 on billboard this whole year……please, no one is checking for her anymore and her mediocre tour was on RiRi level not a Beyonce Gaga level.

Are you kidding me, minus hot100 hits A.Keys would sale way more units than Beyonce’. Alicia has been slaying on the r&b charts. Her song Unthinkable’ is classic better than anything off of Beyonce’s last album. Beyonce sold 3 million barely with all of those videos propmo, and press for over 2 yrs. Lol she’s so big !!! Haha A. Keys latest album is at 1.6 or 1.7 million units without a top10 hit. Thats incredible ! Beyonce surely can’t do that. Alicia is the biggest r&b star of the this generation. Beyonce’ is to busy playing catch up to Gaga now whose album has outsold Beyonce’s sorry stans. Beyonce is known for being a performer/entertainer nothing more.

Well, as much you might want me and other fans too, this Bey fan will not pick up the bait being that Beyoncé and Alicia are in different lane. AKeys was last decade’s R&B Artist of the Decade according to Billboard and Beyoncé was the Female Artist of the Decade by the same Mag.

Both of them move units, both do well on radio and on the charts as well as having beaucoup Grammys. They are the only black female legends under 30 and they are going to be remembered by mainstream entertainment history. You won’t be able to talk about one without the other.

So anyone who gets into a Bey vs A.Keys battle FAILS. It’s like comparing Diana Ross and Aretha. Ella and Billie. Whitney and Mariah. Both are pretty much the same level though in different lanes.

@Leema. I am a fellow BeyParty member but really don’t take the bait. AKeys is not in the same lane as our girl. AKeys is Neo Soul(according to her label) and Bey is not. As you can see, the poster you are responding to is a Bey hater. Anyone who can say this: Then i guess Beyonce is just a performer/entertainer, because certainly she has lied alot about writing many of her songs. She has been called out for that many many times as well. Beyonce has a machine behind her. She really does’nt get her hands dirty but likes to steamroll all of the credits, that others have slaved over lol. Some talent that is.

With all evidence to the contrary, is not worth it. I mean, if I really wanted, I could get into the Alicia tea about her songwriting and musical “controversies” but…again, it’s not worth it because at the end of the day, A Keys is not the issue. It’s haters who have nothing better to do but to hate on Beyoncé for whatever reason they want. They use other artists as divergents from the real issue.

This is the biggest BS I’ve heard all year… Kelly is a FLOP! I dnt even like Beyonce but c’mon now, Beyonce is a MONSTER (Nicki Minaj voixe)! She’s super talented vocally speaking… She writes/picks solid songs… Awesome choreography…. Her look is more marketable…. She’s just better. Kelly ole recycled boring ass music. She clearly can just miss the WHOLE US wit dat s***

And here is a NICE little comment for you from a site to all of you “stans” of other artists who try to go on Bey’s contributions in the studio:

Grammy-winning songwriter Dallas Austin says he’s had a manager rave about a song Austin wrote all by himself, and then tell him, “We wanna know if we can get a piece of the pie on it because (the artist) wants to feel like she has a part ownership on the song.

Gerson calls the practice unfair but says it’s “pretty prevalent in pop and R&B … I think the way people now divide publishing splits is who was in the room. ’OK … I changed the word “the” to “a,” and I deserve 10 percent of the publishing.”’

This is an article reporting about how MOST artists lie about their songwriting contributions and/or do minimal work to get credits, and the note the person who I quoted from said that it is PREVALENT in Pop & R&B. So if your fave artist is Commerical and R&B especially, you better give a nice side eye to them when they speak on their contribution.

Meanwhile Neyo has ALWAYS stated that Bey contributed Irreplaceable compositionally and guess what? He does it again in this interview too: But now that songwriters like Warren, Garrett and Ne-Yo are established, they rarely find themselves taken advantage of any more.

“I give other people credit where credit is due, like Beyoncé really did vocally arrange (‘Irreplaceable’),” Ne-Yo says. “So for someone to come in and take my credit because they are who they are? That doesn’t work for me. I don’t care who you are. … I’m not going to give you something you don’t deserve.”

This is just a law of freaking nature. When have two members of a group been successful in their solo efforts? Let’s look at N’sync we had Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez who both were lead singers in a hugely successful boyband yet only one of them made it…The Black Eyed Peas Fergie & William…Fergie kicked ass.

It has never been and will never be that two artists from a group will achieve the same levels of success. So a tip would be to never ever allow oneself to be a member of a musical group …period!

With his latest EP, ‘The Beauty of Becoming,’ earning acclaim from a growing legion of fans, actor-singer-songwriter Rotimi is giving those who need a little more convincing yet another reason to check it out courtesy of its latest single, ‘In My Bed.’